What hours of the day did Jesus pray?

Answered by James Kissner

Jesus prayed at various hours of the day, as mentioned in the Bible. While there is no specific mention of every hour he prayed, we can gather insights from the scriptures.

1. Early in the morning: Mark 1:35 tells us that Jesus would often rise early in the morning, before dawn, to find a solitary place to pray. This indicates that Jesus started his day by seeking communion with God, seeking guidance, and aligning himself with the Father’s will.

2. All night: On some occasions, Jesus prayed throughout the night. Luke 6:12 describes an instance where Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the whole night in prayer before choosing his twelve disciples. This demonstrates the significance he placed on seeking God’s wisdom and direction before making important decisions.

3. Before and after significant events: Before performing the feeding miracles of the five thousand (Matthew 14:19) and the four thousand (Matthew 15:36), Jesus offered a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing. Similarly, before the Last Supper, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it (Luke 22:19). These instances highlight Jesus’ practice of praying before and after important events, emphasizing his reliance on God’s provision and guidance.

4. During busy times: R. A. Torrey suggests that Jesus prayed even during times when life was unusually busy. While the Bible does not provide explicit examples, we can assume that Jesus, being fully human, faced busy periods like ministry engagements, teaching, healing the sick, and interacting with multitudes. In such demanding times, Jesus likely found solace and strength through prayer, maintaining his connection with the Father.

It is important to note that these examples are not an exhaustive list of every time Jesus prayed but offer insights into his prayer life. Jesus’ commitment to prayer reflects his deep relationship with God and serves as an example for believers to prioritize communing with God in their daily lives.

Personal experiences and situations I have been through have shown me the significance of prayer in different moments of the day. Like Jesus, I have found that starting the day by seeking God’s presence and guidance through prayer helps set a positive tone for the day. Praying before and after significant events, both joyful and challenging, has brought me a sense of peace and strengthened my faith. Additionally, during busy and hectic periods, taking moments to pause and pray has provided calmness and a renewed focus on God’s purpose for me. Prayer truly is a powerful tool to connect with God and experience His presence in various hours of the day.